One of the most powerful features of technology-enhanced learning environments is that they allow us to embed ongoing formative assessment and feedback into instructional activities. Using intelligent tutoring, virtual laboratories, simulations, and frequent assessment and feedback, the Open Learning Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University supports flexible and responsive instruction that fosters learning. As students work through OLI courses, we use technology to collect real-time data that informs four positive feedback loops: feedback to students, to instructors, to course designers, and to learning science researchers. The results are promising. Our experience shows that educational technology can make higher education less expensive and more accessible while increasing effectiveness -- breaking the iron triangle - while serving greater numbers of students who bring enormous variability in their background knowledge, relevant skills and future goals. In fact, learning technology may be essential, if we are to meet President Obama's goal to raise the nation's college graduation rate to 60% by 2020.

Candace Thille is the Director of the Open Learning Initiative (OLI) at Carnegie Mellon University, a position she has held since the program's inception in 2002. She is also the co-director of OLnet. Jointly run by Carnegie Mellon and the Open University in the UK, OLnet is an international open educational research network. Candace's focus of research and development is in applying results from the learning sciences to the design, implementation and evaluation of open web-based learning environments. Candace serves as a redesign scholar for the National Center for Academic Transformation; as a Fellow of International Society for Design and Development in Education; and on the Global Executive Advisory board for Hewlett Packard's Catalyst Initiative. She recently served on a working group at the U.S. Department of Education to write the National Education Technology Plan for the Obama Administration and is currently serving on a working group for U.S. Department of Education to evaluate of the effectiveness of online courses for secondary students.

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